Town Square

No charges against driver in accident that killed bicyclist Joy Covey

San Mateo County prosecutors have decided not to bring charges against the driver of a delivery van involved in a fatal accident in September 2013 that took the life of Woodside cyclist and former Amazon CFO Joy Covey.

Posted by Mike
a resident of another community
on Apr 16, 2014 at 10:42 am

This is intolerable. Cyclists have no protection, either on the road or in the courts. It is quite apparent that if you want to kill someone without penalty, wait until they get on a bicycle. As long as you are drunk and stay at the scene, there is zero chance that you will be prosecuted. Disgusting.

Posted by Turquoise
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 16, 2014 at 11:11 am

Drivers are responsible to drive safely given the current conditions. If visibility is poor should you just step on the gas and hope for the best? Should roads just be a free for all at sunset and sunrise?

Posted by johngslater
a resident of Menlo Park: Menlo Oaks
on Apr 16, 2014 at 1:08 pmjohngslater is a registered user.

I find it hard to accept Mr. Cannon's comments.

I am pretty sure Joy Covey saw the vehicle that suddenly turned left in front of her. I hope it is not expected that whenever a cyclist sees a car moving in the opposite direction they have to jam on the brakes.

While it is sometimes difficult to see bicyclists on Skyline, I have biked and motorcycled Skyline for 40 years. I doubt if any bike, motorcycle or car has ever passed me in the opposite direction that I "didn't see".

So I tend to equate "didn't see" with "didn't look". I call that negligence.

Posted by Hmmm
a resident of another community
on Apr 16, 2014 at 3:01 pmHmmm is a registered user.

Why are all the commenters remarking against the driver convinced that they know more about this case than the authorities did? What WAS she wearing? Did it contribute to poor visibility? By reading previous accounts, I recollect that the driver turned when he thought it was safe to turn. I'm always grateful when cyclists wear clothing bright enough to be seen in shade.

When will people start considering how dangerous some of our beloved outdoor activities can be? Dying while hiking, falling and dying while hiking, getting killed while cycling, while out walking - these are the tragedies affecting locals.

Are local cycling groups lobbying for improved safety? Or, do they accept that what they're doing is unsafe?

Posted by SteveC
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Apr 16, 2014 at 3:14 pmSteveC is a registered user.

Hmmm good points. The Jr. attorney's always know more about the law than the attorney's who are charged to prosecute cases. A lot of people believe if a crime has occurred, then there will be a conviction. NOT true. Juries do not always find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a sad case and my heart goes out to both families. The driver of the van will live with this accident for the rest of his life.

Posted by doop
a resident of another community
on Apr 18, 2014 at 11:22 amdoop is a registered user.

OOPS isn't an acceptable excuse past adolescence. Failing to yield the right of way is not "just an accident". Tired of people not taking the responsibility of driving seriously. These types of okay no drugs, no alcohol, not racing equals "just an accident" doesn't help things. People just need to slow the hell down, take the extra second or so to make sure it's safe to proceed. Someone's at fault in most collisions. The true can't be avoided accident is rare.

If it was a bicyclist that failed to yield resulting in someone else's fatality people would be more outraged not less, they get less slack on news forums. As was the case in SF last year when the cyclist killed a pedestrian. Pedestrian hit by car is just business as usual. Far less outrage, fewer pages of forum ranting. Matt you're revealing your own bias.

Posted by Adina
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Apr 18, 2014 at 10:52 pmAdina is a registered user.

@stevec exactly. If you are driving and have poor visibility of the road, it's your responsibility to slow down. The speed limit isn't just the number posted, it could be a slower speed depending on conditions. If it's foggy, or there's glare, or it's otherwise hard to see, the driver should slow down.

Arguing that the same applies to the bicyclist is a false equivalence. A driver who is turning is responsible for making sure that they will not collide with oncoming traffic. If road conditions are such that there is not a great deal of visibility, it is still on the turning vehicle to make sure the turn can be made safely. It sounds like SteveC is arguing that it is somehow the bicyclist's fault that the delivery van didn't see her. That is flat out wrong, and if you don't believe me, go look at a driver's manual. It's pretty basic rules of the road.